Melissa Johnson, Meaghan Fitzpatrick, Da’Nisha Avery, Matt Leibham

The Classroom Environment

“Classroom environments vary, but they always need to be welcoming places; interesting, joyful places that beckon kids and teachers to actively participate in the pursuit of knowledge. Places that invite curiosity, exploration, collaboration, and conversation. Places that make us want to come in and stay, day after day after day.” -Debbie Miller

Your classroom should: Reflect your teaching philosophy Promote learning Be inviting to students

Seating Arrangements Should be based on the lesson/teaching style Depends on furniture and space available High traffic areas Action zone Many, many ways to arrange seats

Rows

Clusters/Pods

Horseshoe/Semicircle

Pairs

As a child, what seating arrangement helped you learn most effectively? 1.Rows 2.Clusters/Pods 3.Horseshoe/Semicircle 4.Pairs 5.Other

As a future teacher which seating style are you more inclined to use in your classroom? 1.Rows 2.Clusters/Pods 3.Horseshoe/Semicircle 4.Pairs 5.Other

Areas in the Classroom Large group meeting area Small group meeting area(s) Books Teacher’s desk Storage areas

Classroom Walls Chalkboard, whiteboard, SMART board Anchor charts Bulletin boards Student work Decorations

Having routine in the classroom

Scheduling, Structure, Involvement Take a closer look 1 Scheduling – traditional vs. nontraditional 2 Structured downtime, over plan 3 Involving parents and staff

Block Scheduling 1 Maximize learning time Allow for more instructional flexibility Accommodate common planning time for teachers More time for student inquiry, project work, and interactive thematic instruction or more minutes rather than the traditional 50 minute instructional long periods

Example of a Block Schedule

2 Structured downtime -Visuals- Daily schedules written on the board with student expectations Posters hung up around the room with class rules Labels around the classroom showing where materials go.

Examples of visuals

Can you pick out all the wrong things in this video? =vbF4qz_-PCM Class discussion on substitute teachers

3 Involving Parents and Staff Use daily method to keep parents informed Have a daily routine for staff working in your classroom with students who have special education needs Substitute teachers need to be on board with your daily routine

Four Corners Activity! Collaboration

Break (5 minutes)

Policies and Procedures

Classroom Management Guidelines Concentrate on the desirable student behaviors Respond to inappropriate behavior, especially disruptive behavior Be aware of what is happening in your classroom Create Smooth Transitions Provide Opportunities for Autonomy

John Weisbrod Interview PJ Jacobs Jr High English Teacher

“I think classroom management roots itself in who we are as people and how we think about those around us.” “There really is no "classroom management" that supersedes connecting on a personal level with the students--and they recognize that.” “Any student who may ‘act out’ has a reason for that. As frustrating as it may be, it is our responsibility to uncover that reason and try to help. You won't be able to fix everything, but you can try.” “Junior high students also need structure, predictability, consistency, and routine... but mostly love.”

Procedures (Expectations) and Consequences  Current Trends  PBIS—Positive Behavioral Inventions and Support  RTI—Response to Intervention

THE FIRST DAY Greet students, get them to know each other Student seating Inform students about the class Define your expectations Assign Homework

Provide Closure Thank students for taking part of your class Celebrate Take Time to Transition THE LAST DAY

Be Consistent Be Fair THE DAYS IN-BETWEEN

Teacher Stare- Down

Directions Back to each other, count of three, turn around First one to blink, look away, or laugh loses In the event of a tie, both participants turn back around and do it again The winner takes place in a three-way showdown in the middle of the room.

Classroom Control and Discipline

-Control is one of the top concerns -Discipline and control - Reflects philosophy

-Prevent inappropriate behavior -help develop self control -different ways of dealing with behavior 3 Step Plan

Control -Direct instruction -Monitoring -Modeling - Low profile discipline - Personal items

Discipline

-Nondisruptive behaviors -Disruptions to learning -Serious- cheating, stealing, violence, bullying -PBISPBIS

-BF Skinner: Behavior Modification - Assertive Discipline: students know what is expected -Reasons behind rules, what is expected, consistent

Logical Consequences -Help children develop internal understanding of self control and a desire to follow the rules --Student involvement -Behavior is the problem not the child -Warnings -Tone of voice

Break Time (10 minutes)

Workshop

Classroom Management Discussion

Create-a-Classroom Activity Reasonable budget Desk arrangements Your desk Wall/ posters Class policies Reflects philosophy/ teaching style

Go Forth…and Teach! What Teachers Make Taylor Mali Miracle Worker Taylor Mali